Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
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J. Perianesth. Nurs. · Apr 2010
Comparative StudyTemperature measurement in patients undergoing colorectal surgery and gynecology surgery: a comparison of esophageal core, temporal artery, and oral methods.
Maintaining perioperative normothermia reduces postoperative complications. An accurate, noninvasive method to take temperatures representative of core temperature is needed. Oral thermometry is accepted as the most accurate means of non-core temperature assessment, but poses challenges in patients who are intubated or wearing oxygen masks. ⋯ Differences between core (esophageal) thermometry and oral or temporal artery thermometry were statistically significant but much smaller than the 0.4 degrees C identified as clinically acceptable. Oral and temporal artery temperatures are within the 0.4 degrees C of core (esophageal) temperatures, a difference that is considered clinically acceptable. Temperatures taken orally or by temporal artery thermometry are acceptable as noninvasive core measures for adult patients undergoing colorectal or gynecology surgery.
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Pain is a normal finding in the postoperative patient, and noise can accentuate one's perception of discomfort. In this study, physiological measurements, intravenous (IV) opioid administration, length of stay, and satisfaction for postoperative patients who listened to music were compared with patients not provided music during their PACU stay. Of the 213 subjects enrolled, 163 experienced postoperative pain. ⋯ On average, peripheral oxygen saturation and opioid pain control were not significantly different between control and experimental subjects. Subjects provided with music reported acceptable noise levels and increased satisfaction with their PACU experience. Music intervention is therefore a viable, minimal cost, and alternative therapy that PACU nurses can use to assist patients coping with postoperative pain.